What is the best course of action for a patient with active tuberculosis before dental procedures?

Postponing dental treatment for a patient with active tuberculosis is the most appropriate course of action due to the infectious nature of the disease. Tuberculosis (TB) is an airborne infection caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, primarily affecting the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body.

In a dental setting, procedures often produce aerosols and saliva spatter, which can easily transmit TB to dental professionals and other patients. The risk of cross-infection is significant when dealing with an infectious disease like active TB. Therefore, the best practice aligned with infection control guidelines is to defer any non-urgent dental procedures until the patient has been adequately treated and is no longer contagious.

This can also provide the patient more time to undergo appropriate medical management, including starting or completing a course of antibiotic therapy for TB, which usually lasts several months. Once the patient has been deemed non-infectious by their healthcare provider, dental treatment can be safely resumed.

In contrast, proceeding without restrictions, administering bronchodilators, or conducting treatment as usual would ignore the serious health risks associated with treating a patient with active TB.